Benicio Del Toro and Ricky Martin Granted Spanish Citizenship

Spokesman Jose Blanco says that the 'Wolfman' actor and the 'She Bangs' singer were recognized for their artistic talents and the government was happy they wished to have Spanish nationality.

Spain has given full citizenship to Benicio Del Toro and Ricky Martin. On Friday, November 4, spokesman Jose Blanco said that the "Traffic" star and the "Livin' la Vida Loca" hitmaker were recognized for their artistic talents and that the government was happy they wished to have Spanish nationality.

"Spanish citizenship is acquired by naturalization papers awarded at discretion by royal decree when the interested party conjoins exceptional circumstances and after a document is processed for each case in particular," explained Jose after a Friday meeting of the Cabinet, "as occurred with those the government has resolved today."

Spain usually requires new citizens to renounce any other nationality they have before granting them a Spanish passport, but it makes exceptions for citizens from Latin American countries, including Puerto Rico. Both Benicio and Ricky are natives of Puerto Rico, and have U.S. citizenship.

It is still unclear why Benicio and Ricky sought Spanish citizenship, but it is said that the latter plans to marry his boyfriend of four years, Carlos Gonzalez. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the 39-year-old applied for a Spanish passport in order to be able to wed Carlos in Spain, which permits same sex marriage.